AN investigation is under way into an accident at Teesport in which a soldier died as his regiment prepared for deployment to the Gulf.

Soldiers from the 1st Battalion the Kings Regiment were unloading military hardware from Catterick Garrison on to the quayside at Teesport last Thursday, in preparation for shipping to the Middle East.

Cpl Thomas 'Taff' Rees, 32, who was in charge at the docks, is understood to have become trapped between two armoured personnel carriers while they were being unloaded.

Cpl Rees was an experienced and decorated soldier who joined The Kings in 1986. He has served in Berlin, Northern Ireland, Canada, the Falklands, America, Belize, Cyprus and Kenya.

Major Gordon Letin said he was a valued and popular member of the team. "Throughout his service in the army, Cpl Rees carried out his duties in an exemplary manner," he said.

Cpl Rees leaves a widow, Andrea, and children Luke, seven, and Jessica, four.